Australia end their first innings just three runs short of 400.

It’s stumps, as rain halted play at Centurion with South Africa at 140/6 after 43.3 overs.

South Africa 130/6 l Overs 40AB de Villiers 41(71), R Peterson 4(4)

Mitchell Johnson returns to haunt South Africa again as he knocks down Ryan McLaren’s off-stump. Robin Peterson is the new man in, who starts off with a boundary.

OUT! R McLaren 8(33)

South Africa 110/5 l Overs 31AB de Villiers 41(71), R McLaren 1(1)

And there’s the breakthrough! Mitchell Johnson takes a splendid catch at mid-off to get rid of JP Duminy. The left-hander comes ahead but mistimes the shot off Nathan Lyon, and Johnson, moving backwards, dives and grabs the ball over his head.

OUT! JP Duminy 25(48)

South Africa 90/4 l Overs 24AB de Villiers 37(51), JP Duminy 11(26)

AB de Villiers is leading South Africa’s fightback after the early blows. The right-handed batsman is scoring at a brisk rate, and also thwarting the Mitchell Johnson threat with skill. JP Duminy has also done well so far to hang around. The two batsmen have added 47 runs for the fifth wicket so far.

South Africa 63/4 l Overs 17de Villiers 25(28), JP Duminy 5(8)

South Africa take tea with their frontline batsmen back in the hut and lot residing on the shoulders of AB de Villiers and JP Duminy. Australia are 334 runs ahead.

South Africa 43/4 l Overs 13de Villiers 10(11)

South Africa are in deep trouble now. Ryan Harris strikes as the ball nips back into Hashim Amla, who is trapped in front of the wicket.

OUT! H Amla 17(42)

South Africa 28/3 l Overs 8de Villiers 3(3), H Amla 9(20)

Johnson is on fire! Faf du Plessis is undone with one that rose more than he expected, as the ball hit the shoulder of the bat and Michael Clarke takes a catch in the slips.

OUT! du Plessis 3(5)

South Africa 17/2 l Overs 6du Plessis 2(3), H Amla 4(12)

Johnson strikes again! Alviro Petersen’s stay at the crease is over as he nicks one behind to the wicketkeeper. Faf du Plessis starts off on a scratchy note as an edge falls short to the fielder at the slip.

OUT! A Petersen 2(12)

South Africa 11/1 l Overs 2A Petersen 1(4), H Amla 0(0)

What a start for Mitchell Johnson. Serves a hostile bouncer to Smith first up, and Smith didn’t know where to hide. Out he goes. Amla’s the new man in.

OUT! G Smith 10(8)

South Africa 10/0 l Overs 1G Smith 10(6), A Petersen 0(0)

South Africa are off to a positive start. 10 off the first over.

And now we are back with the South African first innings. It should be an interesting two sessions here as the Australian bowlers will be all charged up, after having put up a strong total on board. Graeme Smith and Alviro Petersen will open the batting for them. Ryan Harris to start the proceedings for Australia.

Australia 397 all out | Overs 122N Lyon 1(2)

And there goes the last wicket. The Australian innings comes to an end. Dale Steyn gets his 4th wicket. Australia finish at 397.

OUT! P Siddle 2(11)

Australia 393/9 | Overs 121P Siddle 1(6), N Lyon 1(2)

Mitchell Johnson departs too. Robin Peterson gets the wicket this time. Johnson went for the slog, gets the inside edge and off go the bails.

OUT! M Johnson 33(54)

Australia 391/8 | Overs 120M Johnson 33(53), P Siddle 0(3)

Dale Steyn does the job. Harris is bowled. Gets an inside edge. Walks back. Peter Siddle is the new man in.

OUT! R Harris 19(31)

Australia 379/7 | Overs 117R Harris 12(20), M Johnson 28(48)

JP Duminy to bowl the first over in the post-lunch session. Harris gets the second ball for a boundary, courtesy a misfield from Hashim Amla.

And now we are back with the post-lunch session. South Africa will be looking to get the Australian tail out early, while Australia will look to build a first innings total of around 450.

Australia 374/7 | Overs 116R Harris 7(17), M Johnson 28(46)

South Africa will be happy with their effort after taking the key wickets in the first sesison. Australia will hope their tailenders take them closer to the 400-run mark in the second session.

Australia 348/7 | Overs 109R Harris 0(3), M Johnson 9(18)

Shaun Marsh finally departs as Philander gets him caught by Graeme Smith at the first slip. Marsh departs after scoring 148 off 288 balls.

OUT! S Marsh 148(288)

Australia 336/6 | Overs 105S Marsh 142(279), M Johnson 4(5)

OUT! South Africa get two wickets in as many overs. Ryan McLaren provides the first breakthrough. Bit of lapse in concentration for Steven Smith, who is not happy with the manner he got out. Smith comes forward to play a delivery outside the off-stump, and gets an edge as Alviro Petersen takes an easy catch at second slip.

In the next over, Brad Haddin goes for a sweep shot but misses it completely, and the ball hits him on the front leg.

OUT! S Smith 100(213), B Haddin 0(3)

Australia 331/4 | Overs 103S Marsh 142(278), S Smith 100(210)

There it is! Steven Smith completes his century, which is the fourth of his career. Takes a single off Robin Peterson to get to the three-figure mark.

Australia 315/4 | Overs 99S Marsh 130(265), S Smith 96(199)

Marsh survives a close call for caught behind. Philander bowls on short down the leg side, as the ball deflects and AB de Villiers takes a catch. Umpire Aleem Dar reviews it, Marsh is safe.

This partnership between Shaun Marsh and Steven Smith is now the highest for the fifth wicket at Centurion. The previous best was between Ashwell Prince and Herschelle Gibbs against Pakistan in 2006-07.

Australia 298/4 | Overs 92S Marsh 123(237), S Smith 91(184)

Play has resumed at Centurion on the second day. South Africa have bowled two overs, and Australia have added one run to their total. Marsh and Smith’s partnership is of 200 runs now.

Hello and welcome to the live updates of the second day of the first Test between South Africa and Australia at the SuperSports Park in Centurion. Australia will be resuming at 297 for four on the second day and will hope to put up a strong first innings total. On the other hand, South Africa will aim to make amends and pick wickets early on to put back the pressure on Australia.

Shaun Marsh scored 122 not out on the first day to lead Australia’s revival on the opening day, and Steven Smith, who scored 91 not out, heaped praise on his partner.

“Shaun was amazing all day,” said Smith. “He let the ball come into his areas, left really well and capitalised when they bowled in his areas.

Smith said Australia were in a good position against the world champions, AFP reported.

“We thought it was going to be quite tough this morning but if we got through that initial phase it was going to be quite a nice wicket to bat on. It actually played well throughout the day with good pace and bounce. There are a few cracks forming so hopefully with the heat overhead we can get a big first innings total and let the cracks come into the game later.”

First Published on February 13, 2014 1:50 PM ISTLast updated on February 13, 2014 9:40 PM IST